Australia is blessed with over 30,000 kilometres of pristine beaches, so it’s no easy task to name the best ones. However, Tourism Australia does so every year, with their official beach ambasador and conservationist, Brad Farmer conducting a yearly study to name the top 10 beaches in the country.
Farmer is rigorous in his judgment, applying a 130-point criteria, including everything from ambience, safety, and history to environmental management, parking, and even sex appeal!
Queensland, of course, has no shortage of beautiful beaches, so it’s no surprise that we managed to snag two spots on the list! Read on to find out about two of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, right on our doorstep.
Inskip Point
In at number 7 on the list, this no-frills beach is known as the gateway to UNESCO World Heritage-listed island K’gari. A narrow spit of warm sand, Inskip Point’s shimmering azure waters are perfect for fishing and small boats on the western end. On the opposite end, though, the beach faces the Cooloola Coast, whose strong rips make swimming unsafe.
Thanks to its expansive views of the Great Sandy Strait, it feels like there’s enough space to spread out and have a stunning vista all to yourself, so camping here is a must. Camp sites are quite basic, but serviceable — not to mention beautiful — with the chance to resupply at nearby Rainbow Beach!
Beachcomber Cove
If you truly want a taste of what makes our beautiful Queensland so special, then number 3 on the list is what you’re looking for. Beachcomber Cove’s got it all: from kangaroos lounging on the sand during quiet sunrises, jaw-dropping volcanic rock formations, and a lush rainforest dotted with waterfalls.
Like something straight out of a David Attenborough documentary, the beach boasts an incredibly rich ecosystem, with a surrounding park that has recorded 170 bird species, 28 tropical butterflies, 32 mammals, 10 frogs, 27 reptiles and more than 500 plant species.
Sheltered as it is by the headland and nearby islands, Beachcomber Covetends to be calm, with light, pleasant winds and gentle waves. Its inviting atmosphere makes it perfect to explore through one of five lovely walks, including a mangrove and melaleuca boardwalk, the Yuibera Plant Trail, a lowtide walk to Wedge Island, Turtle Lookout for turtle spotting, and the standout Andrews Point Track.
Australia’s top 10 beaches 2026
- Bate Bay, NSW
- Pinky Beach, WA
- Beachcomber Cove, QLD
- Tallow Beach, NSW
- Hellfire Bay, WA
- Godfreys Beach, TAS
- Inskip Point, QLD
- Mount Martha, VIC
- Smoky Bay, SA
- Ellery Creek Big Hole, NT